No climbing today. (29th) The ranger didn't have an idea of when it would be open but it sure is a huge bummer especially since the fire is no where near the parking lot wall, 5.8 crag and other such climbs in that area. Definetly make sure before you head up , if it is a drive for you.

From Jay Knower over on Mtn project.. plus it looks like rain for the weekend so it's proably not the weekend to head up there

In reply to:

I just talked to the people hanging out at the Rumney parking lot (Forest Service and fire fighters) and, to reitterate what Mark said, Rumney is closed tomorrow. After tomorrow, when it opens back up depends upon how quickly things go up there.

I was to meet Rich at the parking lot this morning at 7 and noticed what seemed to be a cloud over the Main Cliff. I set it aside, thinking it was some real weird type of fog. I had not heard about the fire until I pulled into the parking lot and was turned away by a ranger waiting in his trucks for climbers to arrive.

not really having anything to do with rumney but, when something like this happens again, which probably won't , there is a pretty narly place to climb about 20 or so minutes farther up 25. Also good if you go to rumney and it is way to jam packed as is usually the case on weekends. Anywho, for those who don't know about it, it is certainly worth checkin out, especially if you like trad and slab. you can see it from the road and is probably a around a 1000 foot face sticken up.

hey.. some good news.. the perigine chick and parents seem to have come away unharmed and still going strong.

In reply to:

What was of more concern, she explained, was the effect the noisy and water-dropping helicopters would have on the nesting birds. Apparently, neither the fire nor the operation in place to battle it affected the falcon family since an adult falcon was spotted approaching the scrape after foraging for food, according to Long.

Biologist Clara Weloth of the U.S. Forest Service said the chick will remain in the nest for several more weeks until it gets its plumage. The chick "was pretty feisty" on Monday, she said, when members of the New Hampshire Audubon Society and a Rumney rock climbing group made their way to the next to band the bird's leg.

And I would absolutely love to know what started the fire and who's ass I need to kick.

They are keeping much closer tabs on the situation at http://www.neclimbs.com. Also if you look up the WMNF web page they are posting information. I would assume that Rumney won't be open until mop up efforts are finished.

thanks for the info. On the note about the peregrines- I find it fascinating that the peregrine chick doesn't get bothered by a forest fire and helicopters dumping tons of h20! But god forbid a climber goes near it! (do these birds have any sense of priorities?! geeeezzz!)

Rumney Rocks Climbing Area and Rattlesnake Mountain Trail are reopeningto the public effective Friday, June 6, 2008.

White Mountain National Forest staff caution hikers and climbers using recreation areas within the area burned during the Rattlesnake Fire in Rumney, NH, must be aware of possible hazards resulting from the fire: snags or standing dead trees, loose rocks, and unstable trail edges. A fire in 1992 in this same area left many snags, standing dead and weakened trees; this new fire consumed many of these existing snags and brought others down.

The incident safety officer, George Pozzuto warned that any of these old snags and as well as previously healthy trees affected by this new fire may come down with no warning. Hikers and climbers in the fire area should not grab onto small trees as the trees may be easily pull out of the ground. Pozzuto also warned that rocks and trail edges may be loose and unstable due to the fire consuming organic matter around them andbelow the surface of the soil. The soil surface may look level, but may collapse when stepped on.

Climbers returning to the crags in the Orange Crush, Bonsai, Main Cliff, and Darth Vader areas should be aware that previously exiting bolts,carabineers, slings, quick draws and anchors may no longer be stable. Hikers and climbers are asked to check the White Mountain National Forestís webpage for updates. www.fs.fed.us/r9/white